Split flanging die unit



Nov. 17, 1970 T. A. M COY SPLIT FLANGING DIE UNIT 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Jan. 24, 1969 Mus/v70: 77mm ,4. McCqy lrrdIA IVJ Nov. 17, 1970 T. A. M coY SPLIT FLANGING DIE UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 24, 1969 United States Patent O M 3,540,260 SPLIT FLANGIN G DIE UNIT Thomas A. McCoy, Stockton, Califi, assignor to Carando Machine Works, Stockton, Calif., a partnership Filed Jan. 24, 1969, Ser. No. 793,827

Int. Cl. B21d 19/12 US. Cl. 72465 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved vertical axis, flanging die unit-adapted to be forcefully engaged in one end of an upstanding, initially open-ended, cylindrical sheet metal body for a drum or pail-operative to form a continuous out-turned flange on such end of the body; the die unit, while essentially circular, being split diametrally to form a slot for the free passage through the die unit, from side to side thereof, of a horizontally power-advanced upstanding pusher finger employed to move the cylindrical sheet metal body to and from the position in which said body is disposed for the flanging operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Each cylindrical body, for a drum or pail, is produced from an initially flat plate of sheet metal; the opposite ends of such plate being-in the body-forming operationbrought together and welded along a longitudinal or side seam.

Thereafter, the cylindrical body is sized on an expanding mandrel which causes said body to shorten somewhat except along the welded side seam which resists such shortening. Consequently, at and immediately adjacent each end of the side seam, the body has a slight projection extending beyond the normal plane of the related end of said body.

Following the sizing operation, the cylindrical body is forcefully engaged at one end with a circular flanging die unit wherein said end of the body is turned outward as a continuous flange whichwhen formed-abuts against a stop shoulder included in said die unit. However, when the cylindrical body has a projection-as hereinbefore described-at the end to be flanged and in the Zone of the side seam, such projection strikes the stop shoulder prematurely; i.e. before the full flange is dieforrned. This results in excessive pressure on the side seam and causes buckling of the body along such seam.

This problem has heretofore been successfully met by the employment of a die unit, as disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 616,047, filed Feb. 14, 1967, now US. Pat. No. 3,460,500, including an endless segmental band which forms the stop shoulder; the aforementioned projection, upon prematurely striking one of the segments of said stop shoulder-forming band, causing said segment to individually yield radially outwardly so that no excessive pressure is imposed on the side seam of the body as the flanging operation progresses to completion.

Now, however, it has become desirable to construct the die unit-whose axis is vertically disposedso that a horizontally power-advanced upstanding pusher finger (employed to move the cylindrical sheet metal body to and from the die unit) may freely pass through said die unit from side to side thereof. To so construct the die unit, while retaining the advantage of the heretofore continuous, segmental stop shoulder-forming band (but obviously no longer retainable in continuous form) presented a problem, and to the solution of which the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides as a major object, an

3,540,260 Patented Nov. 17, 1970 improved vertical axis die unit whichwhile essentially circularis split diametrally to define a slot which permits the passage freely through the die unit, from side to side theretof, of a horizontally power-advanced upstanding pusher finger which functions to move each individual cylindrical sheet metal body to and from the die unit; each die half, of substantially degree or half circle circumferential extent, including an end-anchored segmental band (of substantially the same circumferential extent) which forms the outer wall or stop shoulder of the flanging trough of the die unit.

Thus, although the die unit is diametrally split to form the finger passage slot, each substantially 180 degree or half-circle segmental band provideson the related die halfa stop shoulder wherein any individual segment can yield radially outwardly when prematurely engaged by the aforementioned projection (existent on the end of the cylindrical body) upon forceful flanging engagement of the die unit with such body.

The present invention provides, as an additional object, novel means to anchor the ends of each substantially halfcircle segmental band in connection with the bed plate and to which the corresponding die half is rigidly secured.

The present invention provides, as a further object, a split flanging die unit which is designed for ready and convenient manufacture.

The present invention provides, as a still further object, a practical, reliable, and durable split flanging die unit and one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the flanging die unit, indicated generally at 1, is circular and is fixed in a vertical axis position on a horizontal bed plate 2 supported for up-and-down movement by vertically reciprocable posts 3. The bed plate 2 is disposed in a gap in a longitudinal table 4 on which each upstanding, cylindrical sheet metal body 5 is advanced, to, and moved away from, a position alined and for flanging engagement with the die unit 1. The table 4 is carried on a main frame 6 which also serves as the support for the posts 3; the latter being suitably power-raised and lowered by means timed to the movement of each cylindrical body 5 to and from the aforesaid flanging position.

Each cylindrical body 5 is advanced to, and subsequently moved away from, said flanging position by one of a number of upstanding pusher fingers 7 carried on a driven endless chain 8 supported on the main frame 6; the upper run of chain 8 riding on a guide 9, while the lower run rides on a guide 10 in a hollow portion 11 of said frame. When in the upper run of chain 8 and moving along the table 4 (which table is suitably slotted), each pusher finger 7 projects above said table. While a cylindrical sheet metal body 5 is herein shown only in part, as in FIGS. 3 and 5, it is to be understood that such bodies are individually and successively moved-by fingers 7-along the table 4, and to and from said fianging position, more or less in the fashion disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,126,938.

In the cycle of opeartion, the die unit supporting bed plate 2 is lowered by posts 3 prior to each cylindrical body 5 being advanced to fianging position, and at which time the top of the die unit is flush with the table 4.

Thereafter, by reverse operation of the posts 3, the bed plate 2, and the die unit 1 thereon, is raised; such motion of the die unit driving it into the lower end of the cylindrical body 5 occupying said fianging position; said bodyduring the fianging operationbeing engaged at the top by a suitable stop or die head (not shown).

When the bed plate 2, and the die unit thereon, is raised to conduct a fianging operation, the pusher fingers 7 are moving in a path below said cylindrical body and do not interfere with said fianging operation; the details of which hereinafter appear. However, it is necessary that the die unit 1 and the bed plate 2 be formed to permit of the passage of the pusher fingers 7 therethrough from side to side of the die unit when the latter is in either its raised or lowered position.

To this end, the circular die unit 1 is diametrally split to form a vertical slot 12 extending from Side to side of said die unit and in longitudinal alinement with the path of travel of the pusher fingers 7 in the upper run of chain 8. Thus, as each finger 7 reaches the die unit 1, whether it be in raised or lowered position, such finger passesin slot 12freely through the die unit from side to side thereof; the bed plate 2 also being slotted, as at 13, for the same purpose.

The die unit 1 is formed on opposite sides of slot 12 with open-ended chordal grooves 14, each of which receives a horizontal support bar 15 extending parallel to said slot 12 and of a length such that said bars project beyond opposite sides of the die unit. At the ends, each support bar 15 includes a depending finger 16 carried in a slotted guide block 17 mounted on the bed plate 2; each depending finger 16 having an elongated vertical opening 18 therethrough, and which opening receives a cross pin 19 fixed in the related guide block 17 Each opening 18 and cross pin 19 thus forms a lost-motion connection.

When the bed plate 2, and the die unit thereon, is in lowered position, the cross pins 19 are engaged in the bottom of the vertically elongated openings and the support bars 15 are moved to a position in the chordal grooves 14 in which the upper edges of said support bars are flush with the tops of both the die units and the table 4. See FIG. 2. As a consequence, each cylindrical body, as moved to fianging position over the die unit, ridesin eifect-on said support bars.

Upon the bed plate 2, and die unit thereon, being thrust upwardly to conduct a fianging operation, the support bars 15 are moved to the bottom of the chordal grooves 14, and at which time the cross pins 19 are energized in the top of the openings 18. When the support bars 15 occupy a position in the bottom of the grooves 14, said bars are wholly below the horizontal plane in which the fianging operation occurs and hence in no way obstruct the same.

The die unit 1, being diametrally split, is comprised of two substantially 180 degree or half-circle die halves, each indicated at 20.

As each such die half 20 is identical to the other, a description of one will sufiice for both.

Each die half 20, in its substantial 180 degree or halfcircle peripheral configuration, includes a rounded upper corner 21 and, therebelow, an upwardly opening fianging trough 22; the outer wall of such flanging trough being a stop shoulder 23 provided by the upper portion of a segmental band 24 which engages entirely about the arcuate, substantially 180 degree periphery of the related die half.

The segments 25 of the band 24 are connected in closely adjacent, end-to-end relation by means of pivoted top and bottom spanner links 2511; each segment including a flat rigid tongue 26 which projects radially inwardly and 4 slidably engages in a circumferential groove 27 in the related die half 20. The tongues 26 prevent the segmental band 24 from any vertical displacement, yet permitting of limited, radially outward yielding of any individual segment 25.

Each segmental band 24 has elongated top and bottom anchor links 28 pivotally connected to the endmost segments 25; such anchor links 28 thence extending outwardly, in diverging relation to each other in a direction away from the slot 12, and being pivotally connected to mounting blocks 29 fixed on the bed plate 2 outwardly of the die unit and closely adjacent the diametral slot 12. While the anchor links 28 assure that each segmental band 24 remains tightly engaged about the arcuate portion of each die half 20, any individual segment 25 can move, to a limited extent, radially outward; this due to the inherent loose play-however smallbetween the pivotally connected segments of said band.

When the bed plate 2, and die unit thereon, is raised to conduct a fianging operation, and at which time the support bars 15 move to the bottom of the chordal grooves 14, said support bars are also accommodated in receiving slots 30 in the segments 25 (including the tongues 26 thereof) which are disposed immediately below such bars.

In operation of the apparatus, the working parts are timed so that as each cylindrical body 5 is moved to flang ing position above the die unit 1 by one of the pusher fingers 7 advancing through diametral slot 12, such die unit is immediately raised to conduct the fianging operation, and at which time the cylindrical body clears said pusher finger and the latter continues to advance.

When the die unit is thrust upward and engages in the cylindrical body, the lower end of said body is forcefully driven into the fianging trough 22 in order to form the desired radially out-turned flange on said end of the body. If there be any slight longitudinal projection (as hereinbefore described) at said end of the body and in the zone of the side seam 31, such projection, as it is turned out by the flanging trough 22, prematurely strikes one of the segments 25 which yields radially outwardly (see FIG. 5) and prevents the buckling which would otherwise occur on the cylindrical body along the side seam. While-for the purpose of clear illustrationonly one segment 25 is shown in FIG. 5 as yielding outwardly, it is to be recognized that there willin actual practicebe a like but lesser outward displacement of the adjacent or near segments 25; this because of hte interconnection of said segments 25 by the pivoted spanner links 25a.

Even though the die unit be split diametrally, the present inventionincluding the substantially half-circle segmental bands 24 end-anchored as describedobtains the benefits of the full-circle segmental band as embodied in the flanging die of the aforesaid copending application, Ser. No. 616,047.

Upon completion of the flanging operation, the bed plate 2, and die unit thereon, lowers whereupon the support bars 15 move to the position wherein their upper edges are flush with the top of the die unit and table 4; the support bars thus, in effect, engaging and lifting the flanged cylindrical body 5 out of the fianging trough 22 and clear of the die unit. At this point, a pusher finger 7, passing through the diametral slot 12, engages the flanged cylindrical body and carries it forward and away from the die unit.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a split fianging die unit as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

I claim:

1. A flanging die unit, adapted to engage in one end of a cylindrical sheet metal body to form an out-turned flange thereon, comprised of two substantially half-circle die halves which together define a diametral slot through the die unit from side to side thereof, and means supporting the die halves in fixed relation to each other; there being a substantially half-circle flanging trough on each such die half, such flanging trough including a radially inwardly facing stop shoulder, a substantially half-circle band engaging each such die half and forming said stop shoulder, means anchoring the ends of each band adjacent but clear of the diametral slot, and each such band formed to yield in a radially outward direction at individual points in the length thereof.

2. A flanging die unit, as in claim 1, in which the supporting means for the die halves is a bed plate; said bed plate including a slot open from side to side thereof and matching said diametral slot.

3. A flanging die unit, as in claim 1, in which the anchoring means includes links pivotally connected between the ends of each band and members fixed relative to the die unit; the links being disposed to maintain the band in engagement with the related die half.

4. A flanging die unit, as in claim 3, in which the links corresponding to each band extend outwardly in diverging relation in a direction away from the diametral slot defined by the die halves.

5. A flanging die unit, as in claim 1, in which the supporting means for the die halves is a bed plate slotted to correspond with the diametral slot defined by the die halves; and the anchoring means for each band including mounting blocks fixed on the bed plate outwardly of the die unit but adjacent the ends of the band, and links pivotally connected between the ends of the band and the corresponding mounting blocks; the links corresponding to each band extending outwardly in diverging relation in a direction away from the diametral slot.

6. A flanging die unit, as in claim 1, in which each band comprises a plurality of pivotally connected segments; any such segment being individually yieldable, to a limited extent, in a radially outward direction.

7. A flanging die unit, as in claim 1, including a chordal groove in each die half, a cylindrical body support bar relatively vertically movable in each chordal groove, the support bars extending to mounts beyond the periphery of the die unit, the latter being vertically movable between a lowered and a raised position, the support bars being flush with the top of the die unit when the latter is in lowered position and below the flanging trough when said die unit is in raised position; the bands having notches therein which accommodate the support bars when the same are below said flanging trough.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,344,647 10/1967 Berger 72354 3,455,140 7/1969 Galan et a1 72465 3,460,500 8/1969 McCoy 72-354 3,468,153 9/1969 Patarini et al. 72-466 RICHARD J. HERBST, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 113-l20 

